Timeline management is described, including selecting a segment of a timeline, activating a control, and replacing the segment of the timeline with a visual indicator used to identify the segment of the timeline.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method, comprising: displaying, by a computer, a timeline comprising multiple frames within a user interface; receiving user input to select, from within the displayed timeline, a segment comprising two or more frames of the multiple frames; visibly marking the segment comprising two or more frames to indicate that the segment is selected in response to receiving the user input; detecting additional user input to a visible user interface element displayed within the user interface for activating a condensing control while the segment is selected and the two or more frames are each visibly displayed within the selected segment; and visibly condensing the selected segment on the displayed timeline in response to said detecting of the additional user input activating the condensing control, the visibly condensing the selected segment comprising replacing the two or more frames with a visual indicator on the timeline to represent the condensed selected segment.
A computer displays a timeline with multiple frames in a user interface. The user selects a segment of the timeline (two or more frames). The selected segment is visibly marked. When the user activates a "condense" control (a UI element), the selected segment is replaced with a visual indicator on the timeline. This visual indicator represents the condensed segment, taking up less space than the original frames.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the timeline is associated with at least one of an animation object, a video clip, an audio track, a set of images, or a plurality of events.
In the timeline management method described in claim 1, the timeline is associated with an animation, video, audio track, set of images, or a sequence of events. This means the frames on the timeline represent points in time for these types of media or data. So, selecting and condensing a segment affects the display or playback of that associated content.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the timeline comprises at least a first time period between a first pair of successive selection points in the timeline and a second time period between a second pair of successive selection points in the timeline, wherein a first length of the first time period is substantially equal to a second length of the second time period.
In the timeline management method described in claim 1, the timeline is divided into time periods by selection points. For example, the time between point A and point B might be considered one time period, and the time between point C and point D could be another. The invention specifies that different time periods on the timeline can have the same length on the display. This implies that the timeline may be able to represent differing amounts of time depending on the data it is displaying.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving the user input to select the segment comprises receiving user input to select at least two columns on the timeline, wherein each column comprises a plurality of timeline tracks.
In the timeline management method described in claim 1, selecting a segment of the timeline involves selecting two or more columns. Each column represents a track on the timeline. Therefore, selection occurs across multiple tracks simultaneously, allowing for operations on related elements across multiple data streams.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein said detecting the additional user input activating the condensing control comprises detecting input from a user input device pressing a button user interface element.
In the timeline management method described in claim 1, the activation of the "condense" control is done by pressing a button in the UI. This describes a user-friendly, single-click way to initiate the timeline segment condensing process.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the visual indicator uses less space to display than the segment of the timeline.
In the timeline management method described in claim 1, the visual indicator takes up less space than the original segment it replaced. This is the primary benefit of the "condense" operation, as it allows for shrinking sections of the timeline for better overview and navigation.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the visual indicator is a tear mark.
In the timeline management method described in claim 1, the visual indicator representing the condensed segment is a tear mark. A tear mark is a common visual metaphor for indicating a break or shortening of content.
8. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying a value representing a length of the segment of the timeline.
In the timeline management method described in claim 1, a value is displayed to show the length of the selected segment of the timeline. This allows the user to know exactly how much content they are condensing, which is important for precision editing.
9. The method of claim 1 , further comprising adding a button associated with the segment of the timeline, wherein pressing the button toggles between displaying the segment of the timeline and displaying the visual indicator.
In the timeline management method described in claim 1, a button is added that is associated with the condensed segment. Pressing this button toggles the display between the original segment (expanded view) and the visual indicator (condensed view). This provides a quick way to switch between a detailed view and a condensed overview of a timeline section.
10. A system, comprising: at least a memory and a processor configured to perform operations comprising: displaying a timeline comprising multiple frames within a user interface; receiving user input to select, from within the displayed timeline, a segment comprising two or more frames of the multiple frames; and visibly marking the segment comprising two or more frames to indicate that the segment is selected in response to receiving the user input; visibly condensing the selected segment on the displayed timeline in response to detecting additional user input to a visible user interface element for activating a condensing control, the visible user interface element displayed within the user interface, the detecting occurring while the segment is selected and the two or more frames are each visibly displayed within the selected segment, and the visibly condensing the selected segment comprising replacing the two or more frames with a visual indicator on the timeline to represent the condensed selected segment.
A computer system manages a timeline by displaying it with multiple frames in a user interface. The system receives user input to select a segment of the timeline (two or more frames) and visibly marks the selected segment. When the system detects user input on a "condense" control (a visible UI element), the selected segment is replaced by a visual indicator on the timeline. This indicator represents the condensed segment.
11. A computer readable medium comprising computer instructions stored thereon that, responsive to execution by a processor, perform operations comprising: displaying a timeline comprising multiple frames within a user interface; receiving user input to select, from within the displayed timeline, a segment comprising two or more frames of the multiple frames; and visibly marking the segment comprising two or more frames to indicate that the segment is selected in response to receiving the user input; visibly condensing the selected segment on the displayed timeline in response to detecting additional user input to a visible user interface element for activating a condensing control, the visible user interface element displayed within the user interface, the detecting occurring while the segment is selected and the two or more frames are each visibly displayed within the selected segment, and the visibly condensing the selected segment comprising replacing the two or more frames with a visual indicator on the timeline to represent the condensed selected segment.
This invention relates to a computer-implemented method for managing and visualizing segments of a timeline within a user interface. The problem addressed is the difficulty of navigating and editing long timelines, particularly when working with large datasets or extended sequences. The solution involves a system that allows users to select a segment of a timeline comprising multiple frames, visibly mark the selected segment, and then condense the segment into a compact visual indicator while maintaining the ability to expand it later. The system displays a timeline with multiple frames in a user interface. Users can select a segment of the timeline containing two or more frames, which is then visibly marked to indicate selection. Upon receiving additional user input to a visible condensing control within the user interface, the selected segment is condensed, replacing the two or more frames with a visual indicator. This condensing operation occurs while the segment remains selected and all frames are visibly displayed, ensuring the user can still interact with the condensed segment. The visual indicator represents the condensed segment, allowing for easier navigation and editing of the timeline. The system may also include controls to expand the condensed segment back to its original state. This approach improves usability by reducing visual clutter while preserving the ability to access and modify the condensed content.
12. The computer readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the timeline is associated with at least one of an animation object, a video clip, an audio track, a set of images, or a plurality of events.
In the computer readable medium described in claim 11 for timeline management, the timeline is associated with content such as an animation, video, audio track, set of images, or a series of events. Therefore, the instructions manage the timeline display in relation to these data types.
13. The computer readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the visual indicator is a tear mark.
In the computer readable medium described in claim 11 for timeline management, the visual indicator that represents the condensed timeline segment is a tear mark. This indicator signifies a section of the timeline has been shortened.
14. The computer readable medium of claim 11 , wherein the computer instructions, responsive to execution by the processor, perform operations further comprising displaying a button associated with the segment of the timeline, wherein activating the button toggles between displaying the segment of the timeline and displaying the visual indicator.
In the computer readable medium described in claim 11, the instructions also display a button associated with the condensed segment. Activating this button toggles the display between the original segment and the visual indicator, providing a simple way to switch views.
15. A method, comprising: displaying, by a computer, a timeline within a user interface; receiving user input to select, from within the displayed timeline, a segment between a first point and a second point of the displayed timeline; visibly marking the selected segment of the displayed timeline to indicate that the segment is selected; and in response to detecting additional user input to a visible user interface element displayed within the user interface for activating a condensing control: visibly removing the selected segment from the displayed timeline; and displaying a marker on the timeline to represent the removed selected segment of the timeline.
A computer displays a timeline in a user interface. The user selects a segment of the timeline between two points. The selected segment is visibly marked. When the user activates a "condense" control (a UI element), the selected segment is removed from the timeline, and a marker is displayed to represent the removed segment. This provides a way to visually collapse sections of the timeline.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the timeline is associated with at least one of an animation object, a video clip, an audio track, a set of images, or a plurality of events.
In the method described in claim 15 for timeline management, the timeline is associated with media like an animation, video, audio track, set of images, or events. This means the collapsing of sections impacts the visibility/playback of these associated components.
17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the receiving user input to select the segment of the timeline comprises receiving user input to select at least two frames associated with the timeline.
In the method described in claim 15 for timeline management, selecting a segment involves selecting at least two frames on the timeline. The segment comprises this selected range of frames.
18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the receiving user input to select the segment of the timeline comprises receiving user input to select at least two columns associated with the timeline, wherein each column comprises a plurality of layers.
In the method described in claim 15 for timeline management, selecting the segment involves selecting at least two columns on the timeline. Each column represents a layer or track. Therefore, segments can be selected and manipulated across multiple timeline tracks.
19. The method of claim 15 , further comprising adding a button associated with the segment of the timeline, wherein activating the button causes displaying of the segment of the timeline.
In the method described in claim 15 for timeline management, a button is added that is associated with the removed segment. Activating the button causes the original segment to be re-displayed in place of the marker.
20. The method of claim 15 , further comprising activating another control subsequent to said displaying the marker on the timeline, and in response, removing the marker from the displayed timeline and redisplaying the segment of the timeline.
In the method described in claim 15 for timeline management, after the marker representing the removed segment is displayed, activating another control (different from the initial condense button) causes the marker to be removed, and the original segment to be re-displayed.
21. The method of claim 20 , wherein the another control is the marker.
In the method described in claim 20 where a marker is replaced with the original content, the "another control" that triggers the re-display is the marker itself. This suggests clicking on the marker restores the original timeline segment.
22. A system, comprising: at least a memory and a processor configured to perform a method comprising: displaying a timeline within a user interface; receiving user input to select, from within the displayed timeline, a segment between a first point and a second point of the displayed timeline; visibly marking the selected segment of the displayed timeline to indicate that the segment is selected; and in response to detecting additional user input to a visible user interface element displayed within the user interface for activating a condensing control: visibly removing the selected segment from the displayed timeline; and displaying a marker on the timeline to represent the removed selected segment of the timeline.
A computer system manages a timeline by displaying it. The system receives user input to select a timeline segment between two points and visibly marks the selection. Activating a "condense" control removes the selected segment and displays a marker representing the removed portion.
23. A computer readable medium comprising computer instructions stored thereon that, responsive to execution by a processor, perform operations comprising: displaying a timeline within a user interface; receiving user input to select, from within the displayed timeline, a segment between a first point and a second point of the displayed timeline; visibly marking the selected segment of the displayed timeline to indicate that the segment is selected; and in response to detecting activation of a visible user interface element that is displayed within the user interface: visibly removing the selected segment from the displayed timeline; and displaying a marker on the timeline to represent the removed selected segment of the timeline.
A computer-readable medium stores instructions to manage a timeline. When executed, these instructions display a timeline, receive user input to select a segment between two points and mark it. Activating a visible UI element (condense control) removes the selected segment and displays a marker in its place.
24. The computer readable medium of claim 23 , wherein the timeline is associated with at least one of an animation object, a video clip, an audio track, a set of images, or a plurality of events.
In the computer readable medium described in claim 23 for timeline management, the timeline is associated with an animation, video clip, audio track, set of images, or events.
25. The computer readable medium of claim 23 , wherein the segment of the timeline comprises at least two frames associated with the timeline.
In the computer readable medium described in claim 23 for timeline management, the timeline segment that is removed contains at least two frames of the timeline.
26. The computer readable medium of claim 23 , wherein the computer instructions, responsive to execution by the processor, perform operations further comprising displaying a button associated with the segment of the timeline, wherein activating the button initiates displaying of the segment of the timeline.
In the computer readable medium described in claim 23, the stored instructions further display a button associated with the removed segment. Activating this button re-displays the segment, providing a method to restore the hidden portion.
27. The computer readable medium of claim 23 , wherein the computer instructions, responsive to execution by the processor, perform operations further comprising activating another control subsequent to said displaying the marker on the timeline, and in response, removing the marker from the displayed timeline and re-displaying the segment of the timeline.
In the computer readable medium described in claim 23 for timeline management, activating another control after the marker is displayed causes the marker to be removed and the original timeline segment to be re-displayed.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
August 16, 2007
September 26, 2017
Browse 5M+ US patents with plain-English claim translations and AI-generated analysis.